[SoFlo3]

I'm only a month into my new 330i, and while I am happy with it, I can't help but feel like I should have gotten a 340i with manual transmission now that they will be phased out.

Is the process of swapping my lease not worth the headache?

My train of thought is that there are probably some good 340i deals to be had now somewhere in the mid to low $400s.

Appreciate any insight

[Animal Farm]

Originally Posted by SoFlo3

I'm only a month into my new 330i, and while I am happy with it, I can't help but feel like I should have gotten a 340i with manual transmission now that they will be phased out.

Is the process of swapping my lease not worth the headache?

My train of thought is that there are probably some good 340i deals to be had now somewhere in the mid to low $400s.

Appreciate any insight

I'm sorry to hear that you're having buyers remorse. It is an uneasy feeling, however, I would suggest sticking with the lease until the end or closer to the end. The bottom line is that you would lose too much. It is not uncommon to realize after the fact that you made an error with a purchase; some wish that they had purchase a different model, some wish that they had purchase a vehicle with more options, some wish that they had purchase a vehicle with less options, some wish that they hadn't purchase a vehicle at all, and the list goes on and on.

Personally, I wish that I had got more options on my F30, and at times I wish that I had purchase a 5 series instead, however, it is water under the bridge and I simply couldn't justify the losses that I would have incurred had I traded or sold the vehicle.

If money is not a factor then get rid of it; if it is, stick with your lease/car, it will grow on you!

[SoFlo3]

Fair point, I should stick it out and reassess my options at lease-end.

I just used to lust over the 340i with my last F30, and I found myself doing it again this time around, although I do still love my car.

Thanks for the insight!

[Korvo]

Originally Posted by SoFlo3

Fair point, I should stick it out and reassess my options at lease-end.

I just used to lust over the 340i with my last F30, and I found myself doing it again this time around, although I do still love my car.

Thanks for the insight!

Hey, what about the 330 isn't doing it for you? If it's a power difference, that's easily changed.

It would be better to put some money into the 330 than swapping for the 340.

Edit: Oh. You are regretting not going with a manual.

[SoFlo3]

Originally Posted by pdegene

Hey, what about the 330 isn't doing it for you? If it's a power difference, that's easily changed.

It would be better to put some money into the 330 than swapping for the 340.

To sum it up shortly, M-Sport kit, sound, and that speed! The dual exhaust also doesn't hurt the eyes

In regards to performance upgrades, I'm not too keen on upgrading a leased car. Would probably prefer waiting it out. I'm happy with my car, but the 340 is beautiful

[nicknaz]

You might get the 340 and still have remorse from not getting a manual f80. Then like many on the f80 forums you'll want to switch to Porsche as soon as you can. Of course, the GT models will start call your name then..... well you get the idea

You need to be really honest if you'll stop at 340

Another route is to keep the 330 around for commuting and add a 2 seats sports car.

[SoFlo3]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

You might get the 340 and still have remorse from not getting a manual f80. Then like many on the f80 forums you'll want to switch to Porsche as soon as you can. Of course, the GT models will start call your name then..... well you get the idea

You need to be really honest if you'll stop at 340

Another route is to keep the 330 around for commuting and add a 2 seats sports car.

Hahahaha

Thankfully my wallet stops wandering where my mind does..but I think you make a great point. That's something I pondered about recently. Having a 340 will leave me hungry for an M3 and so on.

I appreciate your insight, as it's probably the most accurate!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Animal Farm

I'm sorry to hear that you're having buyers remorse. It is an uneasy feeling, however, I would suggest sticking with the lease until the end or closer to the end. The bottom line is that you would lose too much. It is not uncommon to realize after the fact that you made an error with a purchase; some wish that they had purchase a different model, some wish that they had purchase a vehicle with more options, some wish that they had purchase a vehicle with less options, some wish that they hadn't purchase a vehicle at all, and the list goes on and on.

Personally, I wish that I had got more options on my F30, and at times I wish that I had purchase a 5 series instead, however, it is water under the bridge and I simply couldn't justify the losses that I would have incurred had I traded or sold the vehicle.

If money is not a factor then get rid of it; if it is, stick with your lease/car, it will grow on you!

You must be talking about early lease return which is basically a buyback by the dealer at market value. The OP would be responsible for the difference between the lease payout and the actual value of the car.

What the OP is talking about is a lease swap. It takes about a month and only costs $500 and registration. The new lesser would pay that. I've done a lease swap and it's fairly painless and a good way to get into or out of a lease with little wallet damage.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by SoFlo3

Hahahaha

Thankfully my wallet stops wandering where my mind does..but I think you make a great point. That's something I pondered about recently. Having a 340 will leave me hungry for an M3 and so on.

I appreciate your insight, as it's probably the most accurate!

Nick just described my scenario. I had a 328i leased. That ended and I bought a 340i thinking it was enough. Sold it after 3 months for a F80 M3. Now I want a Porsche.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by SoFlo3

Hahahaha

Thankfully my wallet stops wandering where my mind does..but I think you make a great point. That's something I pondered about recently. Having a 340 will leave me hungry for an M3 and so on.

I appreciate your insight, as it's probably the most accurate!

That's why i said keep the 330 around and get a 2 seater.

Just my $0.02, there's something about the seating position and directness from a light sports car that even a great sport sedan like f80 can't replicate.

[SoFlo3]

Originally Posted by jmg

Nick just described my scenario. I had a 328i leased. That ended and I bought a 340i thinking it was enough. Sold it after 3 months for a F80 M3. Now I want a Porsche.

Swap your M3 for my 330i for a couple days and we'll both have a new appreciation!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by SoFlo3

Swap your M3 for my 330i for a couple days and we'll both have a new appreciation!

LOL you wouldn't be wrong, but I think the point is that you always want more then what you have. I can't say I regret getting an F80 because I love it, but the fact that I now want a Porsche says something: the grass is always greener and it could be an endless loop of keeping up with your desires.

Weigh your options, I think a lease swap is a viable out if you want a 340i. Don't make the mistake I made an purchase one, because I took a bath on it. Why not take over someone else's lease that has 12 months on it? Live with it for awhile and wait for the M340i. Or better yet the new G80 M3/4! Or keep the 330i and get a nice 2 door manual sport car like Nick suggested. The point is you leased it, so you have options.

[Sea-Tac]

Ha! do what I did...I love my X3. Beautiful car...boring as hell though, so I bought a Porsche.

If you're not happy with the car, flip it. Good luck with your lease restrictions though.

[Slickz]

As a manual 340i owner I would say I'm very happy with the car. My daily driver is a Jetta GLI also with manual, and acceleration somewhere between a 320i and 330i, but I can definitely notice a big difference between the that any my 340i.

[dorkiedoode]

I went straight for the 340i and I loved everything about it. Now 6 months later I want an M3... it’s never ending I tell you.

[SoFlo3]

Originally Posted by dorkiedoode

I went straight for the 340i and I loved everything about it. Now 6 months later I want an M3... it’s never ending I tell you.

Yup, I don't see it ending.

I grew up getting thrown around the back of my dads E60 M5, I'm sure I'll be chasing something like that car forever!

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jmg

LOL you wouldn't be wrong, but I think the point is that you always want more then what you have. I can't say I regret getting an F80 because I love it, but the fact that I now want a Porsche says something: the grass is always greener and it could be an endless loop of keeping up with your desires.
.

ive found a great way to slow the loop way down is to do some track days in a "spec" car of some sort and find out just how far off the race pace you are.....

Why upgrade the car if you can't extract the performance from your existing car....

[SoFlo3]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

ive found a great way to slow the loop way down is to do some track days in a "spec" car of some sort and find out just how far off the race pace you are.....

Why upgrade the car if you can't extract the performance from your existing car....

Being that I'm in Florida, I've considered making the trip to South Carolina for a track day in an M car. I'm scared to take a lease onto a local track!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

ive found a great way to slow the loop way down is to do some track days in a "spec" car of some sort and find out just how far off the race pace you are.....

Why upgrade the car if you can't extract the performance from your existing car....

I'd even recommend taking the car on the track with formal instruction. Then you'll see that the car you have, be it a 330i or a 911, can probably handle more than you realize and that when your first starting out, it isn't the car thats not fast enough, it's often the driver.

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

You might get the 340 and still have remorse from not getting a manual f80. Then like many on the f80 forums you'll want to switch to Porsche as soon as you can. Of course, the GT models will start call your name then..... well you get the idea

You need to be really honest if you'll stop at 340

Another route is to keep the 330 around for commuting and add a 2 seats sports car.

I went from a 320 to a 335 and now I'm looking for an M3. Shit's insanity!

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by XxThe_RemedyXx

I went from a 320 to a 335 and now I'm looking for an M3. Shit's insanity!

+1 on that

I vote for stripped down '15 f80

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by SoFlo3

Fair point, I should stick it out and reassess my options at lease-end.

I just used to lust over the 340i with my last F30, and I found myself doing it again this time around, although I do still love my car.

Thanks for the insight!

I've been in your shoes. Leased a 13' 328i and regretted every minute of it. In the end I stuck it out for 30 months. I was able to use the pull ahead program along with payment incentives to get out of it 6 months early. I made damn sure I got the car I wanted this time. Financially I couldn't justify the kind of hit I would have taken getting rid of it.

I did tune it which made the car more enjoyable but and helped to alleviate my buyers remorse though. I say go with a JB+ or Dinan and see what you think. They're both pretty cheap so if you change your mind you can sell it and get some of your money back. Good luck.